Abstract

EXPLORING THE ANTI PARASITIC PROPERTIES OF GRAVIOLA (ANNONA MURICATA) SEEDS: MECHANISM AND MEDICINAL PROSPECTS

Mr. R. Anbu*, Mr. A. Bathrinath, Ms. D. Sowmiya, Dr. C. Jothimanivannan and Mr. S. Rabiniraj

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Abstract

The tropical plant graviola (Annona muricata), which is well-known for its traditional therapeutic applications, has attracted scientific attention due to its strong bioactive substances, especially the acetogenins present in its seeds. The anticancer and antibacterial qualities of graviola's leaves and fruit have been thoroughly investigated, but little is known about the parasitic activity of its seeds. The antiparasitic potential of graviola seed extracts is examined in this article, with particular attention to how well they work against helminth and protozoan parasites. According to preliminary in vitro research, graviola seed extracts have a strong anti-plasmodium falciparum, anti-Leishmania donovani, and anti-Trypanosoma brucei effect. This is probably because they cause mitochondrial dysfunction and induce apoptosis in parasitic cells. These effects are ascribed to annonaceous acetogenins, which block the parasite mitochondria's complex I, or NADH:ubiquinone oxidoreductase. However, worries about toxicity, especially neurotoxicity seen in animal models and connected to prolonged or high-dose exposure, limit these substances' potential for therapeutic use. This article examines the most recent research on the parasitic activity of graviola seeds, assesses their mode of action, and talks about safety issues. Graviola seeds offer a potential but cautious approach to medication research, especially in light of the parasites' growing resistance to traditional treatments. To confirm their therapeutic applicability, more study is necessary, including toxicity profiles and in vivo efficacy trials. All things considered, this paper adds to the increasing amount of data demonstrating the pharmacological value of underutilised plant parts in contemporary drug discovery and ethnomedicine.

Keywords: Annona muricata, Graviola, Antiparasitic activity, Acetogenins, Phytochemicals, Medicinal plants, Parasite inhibition.